'Everyone Is Going To Know My Name' Twins Newest Pitcher Excited to Make His Mark

Hope springs eternal

In a recent thread, there was a big debate about the Twins FO not drafting a college pitcher in the first round. As if the Twins don't care enough about pitching and only want to draft corner offensive players.

Of course, me being me, I rambled a bit, lol, but found the arguement a bit silly. The FO has drafted a stud OF, 2 athletic SS and a 1B in their 4 drafts. And they HAVE selected numerous pitchers, both HS and college, some quite high. Just not in round 1. Not exactly cornering the market on corner players or ignoring pitching.

I'm with Seth on being excited for Raya. He is my favorite selection in this past draft. I keep reading references to Stoman, which is fine. But to me, he reminds me a lot of Berrios. Especially reading this interview and what seems to be a competitive fire within. I believe he turns 18 in July, which makes him very young. Kids his age often grow an inch or two as they mature. (Many college pitchers who end up top prospects do this). And maybe he ends up "stuck" at 6 foot. But only 165-170lbs? What happens when he muscles up and hits 190+ over the next 2-3yrs?

Reports say smooth mechanics and low 90's and can hit 94 with a pair of quality breaking balls above average with a decent change. How good is he 2-3yrs from now at AA with coaching and maturation hitting mid 90's consistently with even better command of his secondary stuff?

It's ONE interview. But I appreciate the desire and work ethic...and confidence...he speaks of. I really appreciated his comment about whoever selected him, in 3-5yrs, everyone was going to know his name. Confident but not cocky. He recognizes he has a road to travel before he arrives.

Reminds me a lot of Berrios.

I'll take the Berrios comp. Looks like a nice compact delivery but with a little more explosion at the end compared to Berrios. More controlled finish than Stroman. Facing Raya in high school must have been fun.

Wasn't overly excited on draft day as I knew nothing about any of the four picks. The more I read since that day, however, has me liking what the Twins did. Like others above, am most excited about this kid.

Can Raya be another Berrios? Or even better? In time we will find out, but I like what he is saying.

We will see. Like all prospects the odds are stacked against him. Would be happy if he came close to being Berrios.

Everyone signed will believe they will succeed or why bother.  I love the confidance, but like all the draft picks I am in the wait and see mode. A few years back I was confident that we would see Thorpe, Kiriloff, Lewis by now and a few others like Rooker seemed destined to be in MLB by now, but the road to the bigs is really long - no wonder players seek quicker paydays in the other four major sports where they do not have underpaid minor league years ahead.

I went back to Ted Schwerzler's 2016 top prospects to see who I would have been excited about then http://offthebaggy.blogspot.com/2016/01/2016-minnesota-twins-top-15-prospects.html  This was a fun exercise - the name Tyler Jay was number 3!  And then there was Stephen Gonsalves number 6.  And Nick Burdi who could throw 100, and Kohl Stewart and the hard throwing Alex Meyer.  J.T. Chagois, Lewis Thorpe, and Jake Reed.  Wow did we have pitching prospects.  

Good Luck Marco  

When I see a report about a pitcher that throws high 90's or even 100 but have to work on secondary pitches  I just go "meh".   I assume in the several years it takes to advance they will need surgery or the other pitches just never appear or command is an issue.   When I see a pitcher that throws 93 but with quality "stuff" I get a little excited.   17 years old.    His frame could change significantly.   

When I see a report about a pitcher that throws high 90's or even 100 but have to work on secondary pitches  I just go "meh".   I assume in the several years it takes to advance they will need surgery or the other pitches just never appear or command is an issue.   When I see a pitcher that throws 93 but with quality "stuff" I get a little excited.   17 years old.    His frame could change significantly.   

I totally agree Dantes. 

And just looking at the movement on his pitches in the clips provided look really good - especially given he is just 17!

What a wonderful H.S. graduation present the Twins just provided him...

He's lucky enough to get paid, but I pretty much lump him in with the mass of pitchers in a system that is going to produce a lot of pitchers. Falvey's infrastructure and hires will no doubt be responsible for this. And unless I had Strasburg or Cole or Bauer in front of me at my draft pick, I wouldn't be picking a pitcher when I'm of the opinion that getting out amateurs has very little to do with getting out MLB bats.

I really like this pick.  He has room to grow a bit and add some velocity but the high spin rate on multiple pitches is what they targeted.